enunciate

verb

enun·​ci·​ate ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌāt 

enunciated; enunciating

transitive verb

1

a

: to make a definite or systematic statement of

b

: announce, proclaim

enunciated the new policy

2

: articulate, pronounce

enunciate all the syllables

intransitive verb

: to utter articulate sounds

enunciable

ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ə-bəl 

-ˈnən-ch(ē-)ə-

adjective

enunciation

ē-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən 

noun

enunciator

ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• speak
• say
• articulate

Examples of enunciate in a Sentence

He set out to enunciate the basic principles of his system.

enunciate a basic set of beliefs

Children should be taught to enunciate clearly.

Recent Examples on the Web

The vocals are airy, haughtily enunciated in the high hippie style, and embellished with happy trills; the melody chugs along with a nursery-rhyme simplicity that is somehow underwired by knowingness: innocence and experience conjoined. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025

Mullan thinks the former Liverpool boss had to learn to enunciate so people in England could understand him. —Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025

Any falsehood or inaccuracy (real or alleged) enunciated by President Donald Trump is almost invariably immediately met with refutation, rebuke, even ridicule by his media critics and political opponents. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2025

James Baldwin, the aforementioned senior deputy commissioner, enunciated the education department’s board of regents policy in a letter to school districts two years ago. —Rich Lowry, National Review, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin enuntiatus, past participle of enuntiare to report, declare, from e- + nuntiare to report — more at announce

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for enunciate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Video

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Kids Definition

enunciate

verb

enun·​ci·​ate ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌāt 

enunciated; enunciating

1

: to make known publicly : proclaim

2

: to pronounce clearly : articulate

enunciable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

enunciation

-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən 

noun

enunciator

-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌāt-ər 

noun